The one time in the Bible where Jesus was intensely pressured into explaining the Salvation about which he so often spoke, he opened up and clearly stated that his “Kingdom of Heaven” was not a paradise of pleasure to which we travel someday after we die, but rather is a state of Bliss-full Being that resides within each and every one of us in every moment of our lives; and this, regardless of our particular faith — or even our possible lack thereof (Luke 17:20-21).

And when Jesus was pressed into explaining his many parables, he always reminded those listening that the “Kingdom of Heaven” of which he spoke could only be accessed via selfless ACTIONS of generosity & compassion & kindness — especially those actions that require us to courageously sacrifice our own personal ease in order to bring a stranger solace; especially thoes actions that require us to courageously confront our own fears in order to bring an enemy forgiveness; especially those actions that require us to courageously sacrifice our own personal comfort to bring the downtrodden a renewed abundance of wealth or sustenance (Matthew 25:40, Mark 10:21, Luke 14:13 et al).

And the really neat thing about these particular teachings is: THEY ACTUALLY WORK! That’s right, regardless of whether you are a Christian or not, every single person alive today can enter Jesus’ “Kingdom of Heaven” whenever they wish — every single one of us can experience a sense of Happiness & Contentment beyond anything we have ever known before; an almost incapacitating welling up of Peace & Joy (a phenomenal sensation I call “Bliss”, for lack of a better term).

And experiencing such Salvation doesn’t require you giving any money to the poor — indeed, money is never enough to do so even when it IS given. For the mere gift of money is always too easy, always too cold and always too distanced. No, to enter the “Kingdom of Heaven” of which Jesus poke, it takes a little humility, a lot of courage, and then a short leap into life as a selfless servant of anyone nearby who happens to be in need.

For example …

*Whenever you are hungry or thirsty and a beggar asks you for some spare change for some food & drink, and you take her by the hand, lead her to a restaurant, sit down with her there and buy her lunch or dinner instead … you enter the Kingdom.

*And whenever you are cold & wet and a homeless man asks you for some money to buy a coat, and you take him by the hand, lead him to a store, sit down with him there and buy him a coat & some pants & some socks & some shoes & a hat instead … you enter the Kingdom.

In essence, every beggar and every homeless person we encounter (ESPECIALLY those who truly are “dirty bums” or “disgusting alcoholics” or “lazy con-artists”) deserves to receive our most gentle respect, our most humble compassion and our most courageous LOVE — every single one of them, every single time we encounter them. It really doesn’t matter HOW we do so, my Friends — only THAT we do so.

So please consider doing so today … Thank you.

“Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again … If you do good only to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you give only to those from whom you hope to receive in return, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners … But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. ~ Jesus Christ (Luke 6:30-35)